Balanced botanical growth container

ABSTRACT

A low cost, readily assembled container suitable for germinating seeds and supporting plant growth under balanced growth conditions includes a plastic base containing an integral series of germinating/root control means and a series of channels including means for regulating water/gas transmission, and a separate soil containment means which can be assembled in some of the channels thereby defining a container for the soil. The invention also includes methods of germinating seeds and growing plants using the container of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent consumer research has established that with the shift from farmto urban living, particularly urban living in multiple dwellings, therehas developed a basic consumer need to grow things. For example, abirdseye view of the roof tops and penthouses in most urban areasreveals that a green revolution is now underway.

This desire to care for plants is further intensified by the nowrecognized consumer need for the constructive use of unstructured time.The growing and caring for plants has been found to be an excellentsubstantive use of this unstructured time because it can be a rewardingand long term activity.

Unfortunately, there are no low cost containers available commerciallytoday which adequately respond to these container needs. For example,the various planters, containers and the like which are available cangenerally be described as: (a) expensive, (b) ill-suited for germinatingseeds, and growing plants and/or (c) are difficult to disassemble. Mostcontainers available today are either small pots of ceramic or claymaterials or expensive wooden planters which generally cannot bepurchased unassembled, so they are difficult to move into most multipledwellings. Furthermore, most of these containers are not water proof andrequire a separate tray to be placed under them to avoid leaking.Perhaps most important these containers have been designed with littleconsideration of the plant cultural practices required to obtainsatisfactory results. That is, it is almost impossible to maintainbalanced growth conditions with respect to water/gas transmission, andtemperature control during germinating and/or growth with the plantersavailable on the market today.

The transitory life style of many urban dwellers today requires thatplanters other than small pots generally be capable of beingdisassembled so they can be moved. Oftentimes the planters availabletoday are either left behind or moved at great expense. Moreover, thefailure to be able to breakdown planters restricts the opportunity toexercise routine root training which is often essential when growingperennials particularly trees and shrubs under planter conditions.

Perhaps, the single greatest drawback of the containers available forplant care today is their cost. That is, it has been established that upto 50 percent of the cost of typical redwood planters available in mostgarden centers today is attributed to the cost of assembly and shipping.These costs can be reduced significantly. For example, if the containerswere sold in a knocked-down state to the consumer--shipping costs wouldbe reduced significantly, particularly if the container components hadvarious stacking features which could reduce volume requirements forshipping. The assembly costs could be avoided altogether by allowing theconsumer to assemble the container. It has been found that in mostinstances the consumer who purchases containers for plant care wouldoften times prefer to use their unstructured time to assemble the unitif given the opportunity, particularly if there is a cost savingsinvolved.

Thus, while the roof top/deck/patio green revolution is well underwaythe market has yet to respond with a basic container which is low cost,adaptable to the consumer's life style and suitable for providingoptimum plant care.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a low cost readily assembledcontainer suitable for supporting plant growth. The container comprisesa base and means for soil containment wherein the base is waterimpermeable, i.e., capable of holding water, and contains integral rootcontrol means and channels for water/gas transmission. The base alsoprovides support for the soil containment means.

The ratio of the average mean depth to the average mean diameter of theroot control means and the ratio of the average mean depth of the rootcontrol means to the average mean depth of the water/gas transmissionchannel has unexpectedly been found to have a critical, for optimumresults, and most positive effect on the growth generating capacity ofthe container.

Additionally, when the container is provided with a growth regulantmeans and a barrier to selectively regulate the exchange of gas andwater between the container and the atmosphere, optimum results ingrowth control are obtained.

Advantageously, seed germinating means are provided on the obversesurface of the container base complementary with the root control means.The dual function of the container base, i.e. seed germinating and plantgrowth is particularly unique and unobvious when considered in light ofthe unobvious and unexpected results obtained with respect to seedgermination, root ball development, plant growth and overall plantvitality.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is directed to:

A balanced, botanical growth container comprising:

a. a plastic base having:

1. a series of germinating/root control means,

2. an inner channel substantially defining the periphery of said growthcontainer, suitable for receiving and supporting a soil containmentmeans, and

3. an outer water/gas transmission channel substantially defining theperiphery of said base having a series of channels in communication withsaid germinating/root control means wherein:

a. the bottom of said inner channel is generally higher than the top ofsaid water/gas transmission channel,

b. from between about 20 and about 80% surface of said base is comprisedof germinating/root control means wherein the ratio of the mean heightto the mean diameter of said germinating/root control means is frombetween about 1:0.5 and about 1:3,

c. the ratio of the mean depth of the water/gas transmission channel tothe mean height of the germinating/root control means is from betweenabout 0.5 to 2 and about 1:1.2, and

b. separate soil containment means comprising panels which fit into saidinner channel thereby defining a container suitable for germination andgrowth.

In a further embodiment the container is provided with a grow regulantmeans and a barrier suitable for regulating the exchange of gas andwater between the container and the atmosphere.

The method of the invention may be summarized as including:

A method of germinating seeds comprising planting seeds in thegerminating means of the container of the invention and placing a heatsource in the chamber defined by the soil containment means and theplastic base;

A method of growing plants comprising placing the plants in soil in thecontainer of the invention and regulating the introduction of water intothe water/gas transmission means;

A method of germinating seeds comprising planting seeds in thegerminating means of the container of the invention, placing a heatsource in the chamber defined by the soil containment means/plastic basecombination and regulating the exchange of gas and water between thecontainer and the atmosphere by means of a selective barrier, and

A method of growing plants comprising placing the plants in soil in thecontainer of the invention regulating the introduction of water, growthregulants, nutrients and trace elements into the container by means of agrowth regulant means and regulating the exchange of gas and waterbetween the container and the atmosphere by means of a selectivebarrier.

A feature of the invention is to provide a low cost, lightweight, easilyassembled container suitable for plant growth.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an easily assembledcontainer which can be stacked when not assembled.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a readily assembledcontainer which has a water proof base .

Still another feature of the invention is to provide a containersuitable for balanced botanical growth having a growth regulant means.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a container suitablefor balanced botanical growth having a barrier means for selectivelyregulating the exchange of gas and water into and out of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description of the invention taken in conjunction with theattached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container assembly.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container base.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the base shown in FIG. 2 taken along theline 3--3 illustrating the relationship between the various channelmeans and the germinating/root control means.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the base shown in FIG. 2 taken along line4--4 illustrating the relationship between the various channel means andthe germinating/root control means.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container assembled illustrating thegerminating feature.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base illustrating the growthregulant feature.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container illustrating means forregulating the gas/water exchange between the container and theatmosphere.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention can be more readily understood by reference to thedrawings:

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container base is generally designatedas 10 and comprises: water/gas transmission means 11, soil containmentsupport means 12, root control means 13, growth regulant base means 14and the base proper 15.

Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the relationship between water/gastransmission means 11, soil containment support means 12, and rootcontrol means 13 is illustrated. A detailed discussion of thisrelationship is set out below. It has been observed that in order toobtain optimum root development and minimize root rot while maintainingplant vitality and growth it is preferred that the top area 13a, ofgerminating/root control means 13 generally be higher than top 11a.Iadd.of the channel side walls .Iaddend.of water/gas transmission means11. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the base 12a, of soilcontainment support means 12, is generally higher than the top 11a,.Iadd.of the channel side walls .Iaddend.of water/gas transmission means11. In this embodiment the soil containment means is generally kept outof direct contact with water introduced into the container, therebyminimizing root rot and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, soil containment means 17, 18, 19, and20.Iadd., the side walls of the soil container, .Iaddend.are shownfitted into soil containment support channel means 12a thereby definingthe botanical growth container generally designated as 21. Water/gastransmission channel means 11 is shown outside of soil containment means20. Soil containment panel means 17, 18, 19, and 20 are provided withcoaming means 17', 18', 19', and 20' respectively and corner means 22 toprovide a more aesthetic finish to the container while providing thenecessary rigidity to the container. The various soil containment panelsare held in position by corner means 22 as shown in FIG. 1. It can beappreciated that soil containment means 17, 18, 19, and 20 aremaintained above the level of water maintained in water/gas transmissionmeans 11 to minimize the potential of rot while also reducing theleaching and absorbtion of water from the water/gas transmission means,thereby providing optimum control of the botanical growth obtained withthe container. Water/gas transmission and communication between the rootcontrol means 13 and the channel 11 is provided through the transverseslot means 11b.

Referring to FIG. 1, it is apparent that corner means generally shown as22 is provided with channel 23 which engages slots 24 and 25 of soilcontainment means 17 and 18 respectively to provide a rigid assembly ofcontainment means 17 and 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is apparent that base 10 shown in FIG. 1 hasbeen turned 180° so that root control means 13 defines germinating means30 and soil containment means 17, 18, 19 and 20 now define a support forbase 11.

In a preferred embodiment it has been found that container 21 providesan excellent temperature control chamber for germinating means 30. Thatis, a heat source such as a low wattage light bulb 32, see FIG. 5, canbe placed inside container means 21 and allowed to generate heat. Therelationship of the mean depth to mean diameter of germinating means 30is critical in obtaining optimum germination. This relationship isdiscussed in detail below.

In a preferred embodiment base 10 can be provided with a barrier, notshown, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 which regulates theexchange of water and gas between the germinating means and theatmosphere.

Referring to FIG. 6, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shownwhich includes base 10 provided with growth regulant means base, 40,growth regulant reservoir means 41 and growth regulant flow controlmeans 42. The top 40a of growth regulant means base 40 is generallybelow the top area 13a of root control means 13, to minimize root rotand provide optimum root development. Reservoir means 41 is preferablyopen at the top to allow water, growth regulants, nutrients and traceelements to be introduced therein. Reservoir means 41 sits on supportmeans 40 which is provided with channels 40b which allow some of thecontents of reservoir 41 to be introduced into container 21 in a mannersimilar to that of a chicken waterer. Reservoir 41 is further providedwith growth regulant flow control means 42 which is a series of openingsin the reservoir wall in combination with a fibrous material such aspaper cartridge 43 which functions to meter the contents of thereservoir into container 21. It is understood that container 21 will beprovided with soil in order for growth regulant means 39 to functioneffectively.

Referring to FIG. 7, container 21 is provided with barrier means 45.Barrier means 45 is supported by stays 46 and 47 which support thebarrier. The barrier is a synthetic plastic material which regulates thetransmission of water and gas between container 21 and the atmosphere.It has been observed that barrier 45 in combination with water/gastransmission means 11 and growth regulant means 39, shown in FIG. 6provides unexpected and unobvious results in botanical growth whichheretofore has been difficult to obtain.

The balanced botanical growth obtained with the container of theinvention is defined as optimum seed germinating plant growth and rootdevelopment obtained under conditions of controlled water/gastransmission to the root area. In a preferred embodiment this balancedbotanical growth is further improved by regulation of water/gas exchangebetween the container and the atmosphere.

To obtain balanced botanical growth under seed germinating conditionsthe ratio of the mean depth to the mean diameter of the germinating/rootcontrol means is from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3. In a preferredembodiment this ratio is about 1:1. It has been found that at theseratios the minimum amount of soil is required for optimum seedgermination while the loss of water due to evaporation from the soilsurface/air interface is minimized.

In a preferred embodiment a heat source is provided below base 10 ofcontainer 21 as described in the discussion of FIG. 5. Base 10 providesoptimum thermal conductivity to the entire surface of germinating means30, to provide a balanced temperature which can be regulated by the heatobtained from the heat source.

When base 10 is provided with a barrier means 45, such as shown in FIG.7, the transmission of gas and water between the container and theatmosphere can be regulated to further optimize seed germinatingconditions.

To obtain balanced botanical growth under plant growth and root controlfrom between about 20 and about 80% of the base surface is comprised ofroot control means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention frombetween about 40 and about 60% of the base is comprised of root controlmeans. In addition, the ratio of the mean depth of the water/gastransmission channel to the mean height of the root control means isfrom between about 0.5 to 2 and about 1:1.2.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the ratio of the mean depthof the water/gas transmission channel to the mean height of the rootcontrol means is from between about 1:1 and 1.2.

It has been observed that root development is optimum and root rot isminimized when a substantial portion of the base surface is comprised ofroot control means which function similar to rocks in conventionalplanters. It has been observed that the relationship between height ofthe root control means and the water/gas transmission channel iscritical to minimizing root rot.

The water/gas transmission means provides a means of introducing waterunder controlled conditions into the container. A substantial portion ofthe plants roots are maintained above the water level in the water/gastransmission means by the root control means. Water is transferred fromthe water/gas transmission means to these roots by means of the soil.Additionally, gas necessary for optimum plant development is introducedinto the container by the water/gas transmission means.

In addition to the various dimensional relationships required forbalanced botanical growth it has been found that the finish on the baseis critical to optimum root development. For example, when base 10 isused for seed germinating as shown in 5, seed germinating means 30provides an optimum surface for root development with minimum adverseeffect on root cilia when the plant is removed. That is, when a rootball is removed from germinating/root control means 30 there is minimumdamage to the root cilia at the soil-germinating/root control meansinterface because of the smooth surface of the germinating/root controlmeans and the pH of this surface. The smooth surface of germinatingmeans 30 preferably has a neutral pH which is desirable for root ciliadevelopment. The smoothness of germinating surface 30 is preferred sincethere is little irregularity for the cilia to engage.

The base containing the germinating/root control means is preferablymade from a plastic material such as polyethylenes, polypropylenes,polystyrenes, polyesters, alkyds, polyurethanes, acetate, epoxy,nitrites, acetals, acrylics, furans, phenolics, polyamides, polyimides,polycarbonates and mixtures thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the base is molded from theseplastic materials by means of vacuum forming or injection molding. Thesemethods of forming the base have been found most preferable with respectto providing a smooth, neutral surface which is most beneficial to rootcilia development.

It has further been observed that the root ball contained in germinatingmeans 30 can be removed most effectively with minimum damage to rootcilia by refraining from watering the soil for up to 24 hours prior toplant removal.

In another embodiment of the invention the plastic material is mixedwith various additives to provide: (a) a smooth surface, substantiallyfree from irregularities, such as silicones, (b) a substantially neutralpH, (c) ultraviolet absorbers including various pigments, (d)strengthening agents such as glass particles and the like, and (e)thermal conductive properties by adding conductive materials such asmetal particles like iron fines.

As can be appreciated from the description of the growth regulant means,illustrated in FIG. 6, the growth regulant reservoir provides acontinuing regulated flow of water, nutrients, growth regulants andtrace elements into the soil of the container. The nutrients includevarious phosphates, nitrates, carbonates and ammonium salts as well asvarious organic materials. The growth regulants include varioussynthetic materials such as 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid used inconcentrations of less than 0.1 percent by weight. 2,4-D in largerconcentrations is a widely used selective weed killer. Variousemulsifiers are also useful as growth regulants. Elements useful inthese compositions include: copper, bismuth, lead, codmium, tin,antimony, manganese, titanium, zirconium, zinc, nickel, cobalt andbarium.

The growth regulant reservoir can have a capacity ranging from betweenabout 1 quart and about 3 gallons per cubic yard of volume of thecontainer. The growth regulant flow control means of the reservoir hasthe capacity to regulate the flow of liquid into the soil of thecontainer at a rate from about 0.1 gallon per day to about 3 gallons perday. The growth regulant flow control means comprises a series ofapertures in the reservoir generally located below the top of thegerminating/root control means. These apertures in combination with awicking means wrapped around the reservoir in the area of the aperturesfunctions to meter the composition contained in the reservoir into thesoil around the reservoir. It has been observed that if the reservoir ispositioned in the general area of the geometric center of the base thatthe growth regulant composition can be effectively metered to the plantsin the container at a fairly well controlled rate and in a generallyuniform concentration.

For use as a balanced botanical growth container side panels 17, 18, 19and 20 are assembled by setting them upon edge, mitred corner to mitredcorner and inserting the corner lock means 22. The base 15 is thenplaced onto the assembled panel means cup side up, as illustrated inFIG. 5, to enable use of the germinating cup means 30, and appropriatelyfastened thereto. The specially sized germinating cup means 30 arefilled three-fourths full of potting soil, three to six seeds sowed ineach cup and watered carefully. An ordinary 50 watt bulb, shown as 32 inFIG. 5, is placed beneath the base 15. The seeds will germinate from thesteady 75°-85° F. warmth from below.

When the seeds have developed to transplanting size, four to eightinches height, depending on the variety, the soil in the cup means 30 ispermitted to dry out slightly and the plant and root ball removed. Aftercleaning the germinating cups, the entire container is merely turnedover for use for plant growth. The container is filled with planter soilmix or a suitable planting soil and the seedlings planted therein andcultivated, fed and watered as usual.

The plants are kept safe from over-watering by the root control means 13and the water/gas transmission channel means. If kept outdoors, evenexcess rain water is not harmful since it drains through the aerationslots 11b into the channel. Yet, essential oxygen and carbon dioxidepass through to the roots where required. Growth regulation may beobtained through the growth regulant means previously described.

The container of the invention can be readily assembled and knockeddown. When unassembled, the container base can be stacked into othersimilar bases thereby reducing the space required for storage andshipping. It has been found that the bases tend to stack more readily ifthe germinating/root control means of the base are molded such that theangle of the side wall of the means is between 7° and 10° less than 90°.In a preferred embodiment of the invention all of the germinating/rootcontrol means are provided with this stacking feature.

The following are illustrative examples showing various alternativeembodiments of this invention.

    ______________________________________                                               Base Material                                                                   Type of plastic                                                      Example  (method of mold-      Additives in                                   No.      ing)            pH    Plastic                                        ______________________________________                                        1        Polystyrene     7     Ultraviolet                                                                   absorbers                                                                     polysiloxane                                                                  at .1% by wgt.                                 2        Polypropylene   6.9   Black pigment                                           (injection                                                                    molded)                                                              3        Polyurethane    7.1   Black pigment                                           (casted)                                                             4        Polyethylene    7     Class fibers,                                           (vacuum formed)       ultraviolet                                                                   absorbers                                      5        Epoxy           7.0   Ultraviolet                                             (cast)                absorbers,                                                                    thermal con-                                                                  ductors (iron                                                                 filings)                                       6        Phenolic        7.0   Thermal con-                                            (cast)                ductors & glass                                                               fibers added                                   7        Polystyrene     7.0   Ultraviolet                                             (vacuum formed)       absorbers                                      8        Polycarbonate   6.9   Base coated                                             (injection molded)    with a water-                                                                 proof finish                                   ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE I                                     __________________________________________________________________________    PLANT GROWTH                                                                  Base Conditions                                                                                       Ratio of mean                                                                 death of water/                                                      Ratio of mean                                                                          gas transmission                                                                       Growth Regulant Means                             Percent of base                                                                         height to mean                                                                         channel to mean    Growth regu-                            surface comprising                                                                      diameter of                                                                            height of germina-                                                                     Reservoir capacity                                                                      late composi-                      Example                                                                            germinating/root                                                                        germinating/root                                                                       ting/root control                                                                      in gal. & rate of                                                                       tion (in %                         No.  control means                                                                           control means                                                                          means    release   by wgt.)                           __________________________________________________________________________    1    50        1:1      1:2      (in gal./day)                                                                           Water (99:3)                                                        1 (.3)    2,4-D (.1)                                                                    Trace elem. (.1)                                                              Plant nutri-                                                                  ents (.5)                          2    60        1:3      0.5:2    3 (.1)    Water (99.8)                                                                  Trace elem. (.1)                                                              Plant nutri-                                                                  ents (.1)                          3    80        1:1.5    0.5:1.5  2 (.4)    Water (98.9)                                                                  2,4-D (.05)                                                                   Plant nutri-                                                                  ents (1.0)                                                                    Trace elem. (.05)                  4    20        1:1.3    0.5:1.3  1 (.2)    Water (99.5)                                                                  Plant nutri-                                                                  ents (0.5)                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE II                                    __________________________________________________________________________    SEED GERMINATING                                                              Base Conditions                                                               Ratio of mean                                                                 depth to mean                                                                 diameter of            Supplemental Growth Control                            Example                                                                            germinating                                                                           Surface conditions                                                                      Type of Heat                                                                         Water/gas                                       No.  means   (root cilia cond.)                                                                      Source exchange means                                                                        Observations                            __________________________________________________________________________    5    1:1     Smooth, generally                                                                       15 watt bulb                                                                         Barrier film                                                                          Rate of germination                                  free from irregu-                                                                       placed in con-                                                                       placed over                                                                           increased substantially                              larities (little                                                                        tainer container                                                                             over seeds planted in                                damage to cilia          conventional container.                              upon removal of          Balanced growth obtain-                              plant)                   ed.                                     6    1:2     Generally free from                                                                     25 watt bulb                                                                         None    Rate of germination                                  irregularities                                                                          placed in con- & root development                                             tainer         rated better than con-                                                        trol. Balanced growth                                                         obtained.                               7    1:1     Smooth    15 watt bulb                                                                         None    Seed germination &                                             placed in con- root development                                               tainer         controlled.                             8    1:2     Very Smooth                                                                             None   None    Suitable seed germina-                                                        tion obtained.                          __________________________________________________________________________

We claim:
 1. A plant growth container eliminating plant over-wateringand reducing root rot comprising:a water impermeable base having: aninner channel substantially defining the periphery of the growthcontainer, capable of receiving and supporting a soil containment means,a series of root control means located on the base surface within theinner channel, said root control means extending upwardly from said baseto a predetermined height defining an upper plane, and an outerwater/gas transmission channel substantially defining the periphery ofthe base having a plurality of channels in communication with the rootcontrol means, the bottom of the inner channel and the upper plane ofsaid root control means being generally higher than the top of thewater/gas transmission channel, and separate soil containment meanscomprising panels which fit into the inner channel thereby defining acontainer suitable for growth.
 2. A plant growth container according toclaim 1 wherein:from between about 20 and about 80 percent of the baseis comprised of root control means and the ratio of the mean depth ofthe water/gas transmission channel to the mean height of the rootcontrol means is from between about 0.5 to 2 and about 1:1.2.
 3. A plantgrowth container according to claim 1 wherein the obverse of the surfaceof the base having the root control means contains seed germinatingmeans.
 4. A plant growth container according to claim 3 wherein theratio of the mean depth to the mean diameter of the germinating means isfrom between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3.
 5. A plant growth containeraccording to claim 3 wherein the germinating and root control means areintegrally formed as part of the base and are one and the same.
 6. Aplant growth container according to claim 5 wherein the germinating/rootcontrol means and inner and outer channel means are formed so as toenable stacking of a plurality of bases.
 7. A balanced, botanical growthcontainer comprising:a. a water impermeable base having:1. a series ofgerminating/root control means,
 2. an inner channel substantiallydefining the periphery of said growth container, suitable for receivingand supporting a soil containment means, and
 3. an outer water/gastransmission channel substantially defining the periphery of said basehaving a series of channels in communication with said germinating/rootcontrol means wherein: a. the bottom of said inner channel is generallyhigher than the top of said water/gas transmission channel, b. frombetween about 20 and about 80 percent of the surface of said base iscomprised of germinating/root control means wherein the ratio of themean height to the mean diameter of said germinating/root control meansis from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio of the meandepth of the water/gas transmission channel to the mean height of thegerminating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 and about1:1.2 and b. separate soil containment means comprising panels which fitinto said inner channel thereby defining a container suitable forgermination and growth.
 8. A container according to claim 7 wherein thebase is black, vacuum formed, high density, polystyrene containingultraviolet absorbers.
 9. A container according to claim 7 wherein atleast some of the germinating/root control means are provided with astacking feature.
 10. A container according to claim 9 wherein saidstacking feature of the germinating/root control means comprises anangle up to 10 percent from normal.
 11. A container according to claim 7wherein the base is provided with integral growth regulant support meanspositioned below the top of said germinating/root control means.
 12. Acontainer according to claim 11 wherein said growth regulant meanscomprises a support means integral with said base and positioned in thegeneral vicinity of the geometric center of said base provided with areservoir means and a liquid flow control means positioned above saidgerminating/root control means.
 13. A container according to claim 7provided with a barrier to selectively regulate the exchange of gas andwater between the container and the atmosphere.
 14. A containeraccording to claim 7 wherein the .[.plastic.]. .Iadd.water impermeable.Iaddend.base is made from a material selected from the group consistingof polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyesters, alkyds,polyurethanes, acetates, epoxies, nitrites, acetals, acrylics, furans,phenolics, polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates and mixtures thereof.15. A container according to claim 13 wherein .[.the plastic.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.base has a substantially neutral pH and issupportive of root cilia.
 16. A container according to claim 7 whereinsaid soil containment means is made from redwood.
 17. A method ofgerminating seeds comprising:I. planting seeds in the germinating meansof a balanced, botanical growth container comprising:a. a plastic basehaving:1. a series of germinating/root control means,
 2. an innerchannel substantially defining the periphery of said growth container,suitable for receiving and supporting a soil containment means, and 3.an outer water/gas transmission channel substantially defining theperiphery of said base having a series of channels in communication withsaid germinating/root control means wherein: a. the bottom of said innerchannel is generally higher than the top of said water/gas transmissionchannel, b. from between about 20 and about 80 percent of the surface ofsaid base is comprised of germinating/root control means wherein theratio of the mean height to the mean diameter of said germinating/rootcontrol means is from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio ofthe mean depth of the water/gas transmission channel to the mean heightof the germinating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 andabout 1:1.2, and b. separate soil containment means comprising panelswhich fit into said inner channel thereby defining a container suitablefor germination and growth. II. placing heat source in the chamberdefined by the soil containment means and the plastic base.
 18. A methodof growing plants comprising:I. placing the plants in the soil of abalanced botanical growth container comprising:a. a plastic basehaving:1. a series of germinating/root control means,
 2. an innerchannel substantialy defining the periphery of said growth container,suitable for receiving and supporting a soil containment means, and 3.an outer water/gas transmission channel substantially defining theperiphery of said base having a series of channels in communication withsaid germinating/root control means wherein: a. the bottom of said innerchannel is generally higher than the top of said water/gas transmissionchannel, b. from between about 20 and about 80 percent of the surface ofsaid base is comprised of germinating/root control means wherein theratio of the mean height to the mean diameter of said germinating/rootcontrol means is from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio ofthe mean depth of the water/gas transmission channel to the mean heightof the germinating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 andabout 1:1.2, and b. separate soil containment means comprising panelswhich fit into said inner channel thereby defining a container suitablefor germination and growth, c. a growth regulant means integral withsaid base and provided with a reservoir means and a liquid flow controlmeans and d. a barrier to selectively regulate the exchange of gas andwater between the container and the atmosphere and II. periodicallyintroducing water, growth regulants, nutrients and trace elements intothe reservoir of said growth regulant means. .Iadd.
 19. A plant growthcontainer eliminating plant over-watering and reducing root rotcomprising: a water impermeable base having: an inner channelsubstantially defining the periphery of the growth container, capable ofreceiving and supporting a soil containment means, a series of rootcontrol means located on the base surface within the inner channel, saidroot control means extending upwardly from said base to a predeterminedheight defining an upper plane, and an outer water/gas transmissionchannel substantially defining the periphery of the base having aplurality of channels in communication with the root control means, thebottom of the inner channel and the upper plane of said root controlmeans being generally higher than the top of the water/gas transmissionchannel, and separate soil containment means fitting into the innerchannel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 20. A plant growth container acccording toclaim 19 wherein: from between about 20 and about 80 percent of the baseis comprised of root control means and the ratio of the mean depth ofthe water/gas transmission channel to the mean height of the rootcontrol means is from between about 0.5 to 2 and about 1:1.2..Iaddend..Iadd.
 21. A plant growth container according to claim 19wherein the obverse of the surface of the base having the root controlmeans contains seed germinating means and the ratio of the mean depth ofthe mean diameter of the germinating means is from about 1:0.5 and about1.3. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 22. A balanced, botanical growth containercomprising: a. a water impermeable base having:1. a series ofgerminating/root control means,
 2. an inner channel substantiallydefining the periphery of said growth container, suitable for receivingand supporting a soil containment means, and
 3. an outer water/gastransmission channel substantially defining the periphery of said basehaving a series of channels in communication with said germinating/rootcontrol means wherein:a. the bottom of said inner channel is generallyhigher than the top of said water/gas transmission channel, b. frombetween about 20 and about 80 percent of the surface of said base iscomprised of germinating/root control means wherein the ratio of themean height to the mean diameter of said germinating/root control meansis from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio of the meandepth of the water/gas transmission channel to the mean height of thegerminating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 and about1:1.2 and b. separate soil containment means fitting into said innerchannel. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 23. A container according to claim 22 whereinthe base is provided with integral growth regulant support meanspositioned below the top of said germinating/root control means and saidgrowth regulant means comprised of support means integral with said baseand positioned in the general vicinity of the geometric center of saidbase provided with a reservoir means and a liquid flow control meanspositioned above said germinating/root control means. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. A container according to claim 22 wherein the water impermeable baseis made from a material selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyesters, alkyds,polyurethanes, acetates, epoxies, nitrites, acetals, acrylics, furans,phenolics, polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates and mixtures thereof..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 25. A container according to claim 24 wherein said basehas a substantially neutral pH and is supportive of root cilia..Iaddend..Iadd.
 26. A method of germinating seeds comprising:I. plantingseeds in the germinating means of a balanced, botanical growth containercomprising: a. a plastic base having:1. a series of germinating/rootcontrol means,
 2. an inner channel substantially defining the peripheryof said growth container, suitable for receiving and supporting a soilcontainment means, and
 3. an outer water/gas transmission channelsubstantially defining the periphery of said base having a series ofchannels in communication with said germinating/root control meanswherein:a. the bottom of said inner channel is generally higher than thetop of said water/gas transmission channel, b. from between about 20 andabout 80 percent of the surface of said base is comprised ofgerminating/root control means wherein the ratio of the mean height tothe mean diameter of said germinating/root control means is from betweenabout 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio of the mean depth of thewater/gas transmission channel to the mean height of thegerminating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 and about1:1.2, and b. separate soil containment means fitting into said innerchannel. II. placing heat source in the chamber defined by the soilcontainment means and the plastic base. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 27. A method ofgrowing plants comprising:I. placing the plants in the soil of abalanced botanical growth container comprising: a. a plastic basehaving:1. a series of germinating/root control means,
 2. an innerchannel substantially defining the periphery of said growth container,suitable for receiving and supporting a soil containment means, and 3.an outer water/gas transmission channel substantially defining theperiphery of said base having a series of channels in communication withsaid germinating/root control means wherein:a. the bottom of said innerchannel is generally higher than the top of said water/gas transmissionchannel, b. from between about 20 and about 80 percent of the surface ofsaid base is comprised of germinating/root control means wherein theratio of the mean height to the mean diameter of said germinating/rootcontrol means is from between about 1:0.5 and about 1:3, c. the ratio ofthe mean depth of the water/gas transmission channel to the mean heightof the germinating/root control means is from between about 0.5 to 2 andabout 1:1.2, and b. separate soil containment means fitting into saidinner channel. c. a growth regulant means integral with said base andprovided with a reservoir means and a liquid flow control means and d. abarrier to selectively regulate the exchange of gas and water betweenthe container and the atmosphere and II. periodically introducing water,growth regulants, nutrients and trace elements into the reservoir ofsaid growth regulant means. .Iaddend.